James Newman was supposed to represent the United Kingdom last year with the song “My last breath”. The BBC was silent for a long time, but eventually announced that he will represent the UK with “Embers” this year. At that time Newman had already had a big international hit with “Therapy”, a song by Armin van Buuren on which Newman provided the vocals. James is also the older brother of John Newman, for whom he also wrote songs. He also did that for Rudimental, Calvin Harris, Little Mix and the Backstreet Boys, among others. So it is not exactly a ‘nobody’ who represents the UK.

Eurovision 2026
Vienna 12 points: here are the 10 finalists
Here are the 10 finalists! After an exciting semi-final full of standout performances, tense voting and memorable staging, the countries advancing to the Grand Final have now been revealed. These acts will return to the Eurovision stage for one more performance, keeping their hopes alive of taking home this year’s Eurovision Song Contest trophy soon. Moldova EBU/Corinne Cumming Sweden EBU/Alma Bengtsson Croatia EBU/Corinne Cumming Greece EBU/Corinne Cumming Finland EBU/Sarah Louise Bennett Israel EBU/Corinne Cumming Belgium EBU/Sarah Louise Bennett Lithuania EBU/Sarah Louise Bennett Poland EBU/Sarah Louise Bennett Serbia EBU/Alma Bengtsson